Kapri Bibbs confident in decision; Colorado State coach Jim McElwain ready to help

Bibbs says decision to go pro is final

By Mike Brohard Sports Editor

Posted:
12/30/2013 05:21:25 PM MST

Kapri Bibbs, who rushed for 1,741 yards this year at Colorado State, said he has grown more confident in his decision to declare early for the NFL draft.
(Steve Stoner)

FORT COLLINS -- For Jim McElwain, nothing has changed.

From the Colorado State football coach's perspective, his job is to help his players in any way possible. With the announcement Sunday from Kapri Bibbs that the sophomore running back plans to declare himself eligible for the NFL draft, the direction of that help is all that changes.

"I guess the good thing is you have guys that have that opportunity at a young age," McElwain said. "The important thing now is if he decides to take that step in his life to be supportive and help him in every way shape and form to help him be successful."

For Bibbs, his excitement a day later about the decision has done nothing but grow.

Immediately after sending out the Tweet of his news, he was getting feedback from friends, fans and teammates, the latter group giving him the biggest lift.

"It's getting better and better every day. Just the reassurance that I made the right decision, I'm getting more and more confident every day," Bibbs said. "That made me feel real good, especially with their approval. I know a lot of teammates want me to come back, but they said they felt that I made the right decision for myself, and they're backing me up 100 percent of the way, and that's what real teammates do, and it's why I love those guys."

McElwain said the news didn't come as a complete shock to him, because he had held preliminary conversations with Bibbs, talks the back said he originated after the Nevada game.

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McElwain said it is not his job to sway a decision, just supply the player with enough information to make the decision easier. He said it was a process he went through with Weston Richburg the season before.

"He's young and another season under his belt obviously may be to his benefit from a financial standpoint," McElwain said. "At the same time, those are some of the things he's got to be able to weigh, and hopefully he is talking with the right people who can give him some direction. Kapri has done a great job on his own doing a lot of things, so I'm sure he's put a lot of thought into this."

Since that meeting, Bibbs said he thought a lot about the decision. He preferred not to say who he was relying on to make the choice, but he did note it was his own ability to reach his goals that spurred him on toward the NFL. His goal for his junior year was to rush for 1,500 yards and 25 touchdowns and turn pro. Doing so this year moved up his time table.

He also factored in the rumored class of running backs turning pro, and he felt the time now was prime to strike, though in the end, he said it was a tough call.

"It was real hard. Everything I did this year, sacrificed my body, was all for my team," he said. "Leaving them this year is heartbreaking, but at the same time I know I have to be selfish one time in my life. Actually, two times as a football player. That's when you choose the college you go to and when you decide to leave for the NFL early."

McElwain said his personnel department has already reached out to NFL scouts to help generate film for them on Bibbs, for which the back is thankful. As McElwain said, many didn't have Bibbs on their radar at this point as many didn't see him declaring early, so they have to catch up. McElwain didn't want to divulge what scouts had shared with him at this point.

Late in the football season, an NFL scout at a Colorado State practice figured Bibbs would be a late-round draft pick -- hypothetically -- if he were too come out. But the scout at the time felt Bibbs, who had yet to prove he's an every-down back, would be better served with another season under his belt. CBSSports.com updated their rankings Monday, listing him as the No. 15 running back and 186 overall (a fifth- or sixth-round pick).

Bibbs only had seven receptions this season for 41 yards, and he was often removed on obvious passing downs because Donnell Alexander and Chris Nwoke were both better pass protectors.

But with a ball in his hands, Bibbs was explosive. He broke the program records for yards in a game (312 vs. Nevada), for a season (1,741), points (186) and touchdowns (31). The rushing total ranks him fourth nationally, while he leads the nation in rushing touchdowns, setting a Mountain West conference mark. He joins Barry Sanders and Montee Ball as the only FBS backs in history to surpass 30 scores on the ground.

Bibbs understands the criticism of his game is going to come, but he feels he can prove he is a quality pass protector and receiver. What he said he'll work on is just getting better overall, with no specific skill focus.

Donnell Alexander, who will be entering his junior year, would be first up to replace Kapri Bibbs at running back for Colorado State.
(STEVE STONER)

"All I can do is keep getting better. Good enough is just good enough to get beat," he said. "I'm going to keep pushing to be great."

Colorado State's pro day is set for March 12, which would be one opportunity to showcase his skills for scouts. If he is not invited to the NFL combine -- and Rams' Weston Richburg and Crockett Gillmore have already been -- he has the chance to hit the regional combines the NFL has created for the first time this year. Those are slated for February and March.

For the coach, helping Bibbs also includes completing his education, something the back himself said is very important to him. Bibbs estimated he is 16 credits shy of his degree.

So far, Bibbs has yet to hire an agent, and he still has to complete the official process of filing the paper work with the NFL. If he doesn't hire an agent, Bibbs still has a chance to pull his name out of the draft and return to Colorado State.

But he said that won't happen.

With that, McElwain feels good about the team's prospects at running back, starting with junior Donnell Alexander. He rushed for 412 yards in an injury-plagued 2013 after rushing for 587 in sharing time with Chris Nwoke in 2011.

On roster the Rams also have Davon Riddick, who has also been slowed by injury in his career, as well as redshirt freshman Bryce Peters.

"I think we have some choices," McElwain said. "Donnell played this season hurt and did some outstanding things. We red-shirted Bryce Peters, who we feel very confident in his abilities. Hopefully a healthy Davon Riddick, who has shown flashes but never seemed to stay healthy. He's a guy we have a lot of trust in.

"As we move forward, we're in that recruiting phase. We're on the radar of some very explosive guys simply because of our track record with that position, and how we're able to use them and help them in their future."

For Bibbs, his future now lies at the next level.

"I know I'm ready to take that next step and I have 100 percent confidence in myself," he said.

Donnell Alexander -- Junior, 5-11, 205. Has rushed for 999 yards as a Ram in two seasons. He worked through injuries in 2013 and split time with Chris Nwoke in 2012. He has averaged better than 5 yards a carry in his career. Said Bibbs: "I know he's just lurking in the weeds right now. I know what type of guy he is and what kind of player he is, and I know he's ready to take those reins and run with them."

Davon Riddick -- Junior, 6-0, 204. Injuries have kept him from making a dent on the field at running back, but he was an important special teams contributor in 2013 after missing all of 2012 with a broken wrist.

Bryce Peters -- RS freshman, 5-11, 205. Spent the past year on scout team, where he impressed the coaching staff. McElwain says he is more of a between-the-tackles runner, but has a burst of finishing speed. Spring camp will be his first real proving ground.

Recruits -- The Rams have received a verbal from one back, Johnathan Lewis of La Porte, Texas, and have been in talks with others. They may see Bibbs' departure as an opening.